It's "Shabby-Sheik," Okay?

It's not like we have a trend going, around here, okay?

It's not like the men in this family are home decorators, okay?

It's not like they need to get "in touch with their feminine sides." (Although my husband did take some flak at the post office yesterday for returning a "pink tutu" to Discount Dance...but that's another story.)

It just so happens that they like the "shabby chic" look. Or "shabby sheik," as Jeff thought it was. :)

It just so happens they are not afraid of their own creativity, okay?

Think David and cooking--"Chupa Queso," right??? (Okay, maybe that's another story, too.)

But we inherited this bed from our friends, Jen and Dave. I wish I had taken a "before" picture. It was cute, but looked a little used. Painted off-white, including the brass flowers. Brass was tarnished. Needed a little TLC.

I was going to polish up the brass a little and spray on a coat of white paint.

Jeff spent a week, a LOT of elbow grease, some research, several attempts at "shabby chic," (eventually deciding against it) and came up with this. I think it looks GREAT in our Disneyland room. Thanks, honey!

Dad and Grandma Rose

This weekend we had a fun visit from Jeff's dad, Larry, and his wife, Grandma Rose. We haven't seen them for NINE years. That's way too long. They are living in northern California and drove 29 hours this weekend to visit the grands- and greats-.


Saturday we had a nice picnic at the splash park. We never thought the water would be turned on yet, but it was. Luckily, Tyler and Aubrey had a swimsuit to share with Sydney!
(Thanks for the photo, Allyson. Yes, I blog-lifted.)

I felt badly, as Susan kept saying we needed to get a group shot and they were the only ones who didn't end up getting their photo with Grandpa and Grandma. :(


David's family came for dinner with them Sunday.



Ally, Sydney, and Jimmy were here a little later. (Obviously, Jimmy--even a little later than this!)



Next to seeing the kids, I think the highlight of the trip for Dad was seeing the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge. He and Jeff enjoyed talking "engineering" and Dad recounted stories of when his dad worked on the Grand Coulee Dam many years ago. (Jeff's mom's dad worked on the Grand Coulee too.)

It was a treat for all. Thanks for making the effort to come and see us. We love you, Dad and Grandma Rose!

Who Got New...

SWIMSUITS??

That's right.

Sydney...


and Maddie...


the two little mermaids!

Not Only is she Smart...

...she's an athlete too! (Maddie is in front on right.)

Maddie decided to join the short-season junior high school track team the past two months and she is really enjoying it. The 6-8th graders in the district practiced for a month, then had a meet today in Las Vegas.


She was quite nervous waiting in the stands.


Maddie ran the 400-meter, anchored the 4-X-100 girls' relay team, and did the standing long jump. She came in second in the 400 meter! Guess she'll be competing in the Championship meet in two weeks! Then they have one more sponsored meet in May.


Maddie volunteered Dad to run in the parents'/coaches' relay event. It was kind of funny. With all the schools there, they only had two adult relay teams - both from Maddie's school! Dad's team came in second :) . (But they were not far behind the first place team!)

Way to go, guys!

It's Shabby Chic, Okay?!!

(No, not this.)

So my children told me my old message board under the kitchen phone was disgusting-looking.

It is 25 or 30 years old - one of my early-day Relief Society projects.

At their next "Cousins Craft Day" the Utah cousins are making altered message boards. Sarah and Amy were describing them and Allyson decided to make me one while watching Conference. Sarah, Allyson, and Amy were contributing to the project, and when Brian walked over, he added his "mad scrapbooking skills." He was taking some good-natured ribbing about it ("Yeah, when you and Joel say you are paint-balling, you really get out the scrapbook supplies..." "Well, he did scrapbook his high school prom page!," "Now we know what you and Carl are doing when you SAY you are on a dirt bike ride." and so on.)

I was so excited when it was done. Brian put it up on the cabinet and I was admiring it. I asked Ally, "So did you distress the paint, or did it just go on the cookie sheet like this?"

Brian looks at me like I know nothing and says, "It's supposed to be like that. It's 'shabby chic,' okay?!!"

We all got a good laugh out of that. How would Brian of all people know about shabby chic? He IS a man of many talents...


Anyway, isn't it cute? Just whipped up out of some on-hand scrapbook supplies and a 30-year- old cookie sheet! The magnets are handmade too! I love it! Thanks, gang.

Easter Weekend

Our niece Sarah and husband Marc and family were here the last two weekends on each side of their spring break trip to Disneyland. What a great way to begin and end our spring break too!


Saturday we had a picnic in the park between watching General Conference sessions. (I use the term "watching" extremely loosely. First of all, we have no cable TV and our computer-to-TV setup was NOT cooperating! Secondly, when "the cousins" are here, EVERYone wants to be here, so we had eight children under 9 "watching" with us at various times. Translation of "watching:" running in- and-outside, playing dress-up, fighting over dress-ups, fighting over toys, doing somersaults, jumping on the trampoline, climbing over adults, climbing over each other, and oh yes, coloring Conference pictures and "taking notes." We probably "watched" about 10% of Conference, but the company was great and I'll be watching Conference online all week...)


Dad, Amy, and Maddie played whiffle ball and soccer.


All lined up and ready to go. Little Maddie, Lilly, Sydney, Tyler, Aubrey, Maddie, Nathaniel, Ellie, and Ben. Jillian and Maizie in back. We missed Julie and Ally. :(


Nate with his basket almost full.

Sydney in her twirly skirt with the cute shirt Allyson appliqued for her. (Ally is a whiz with the Cricut now, even cutting fabric!)


Searching the ivy beds at Bicentennial Park.


If Allyson ends up only having one child, I'm sure glad she got a daughter. They enjoy each other so much. (Jimmy doesn't mind her much either!)


Examining the spoils...

Happy Spring!

She's from "French Guiana"

(If you'd like to see Maddie's St. Patrick's day shirt look HERE.)

When Amy was in third grade, her friend Audrey did a report on "French Guiana" where her grandparents served as missionaries for our church. One of the things she reported was that the people in that country dress very colorfully, combining stripes, florals, paisley, designs, whatever they feel like. Ever since, we have described many outfits as being from French Guiana.

Today, Aubrey wanted to wear the new twirly skirt I made her.

Apparently, she didn't want to change the shirt or hat she was already wearing.

Isn't she beautiful?? I think so!


Skirt tutorial is from this site. (I made a few changes.)

I made one for Sydney too, but neglected to get a photo before she went home.

She matched.